Ethical practice in career counselling

Ethics What are ethics and ethical dilemmas ? Why are ethics important for career counsellors What ethical frameworks can we use ? Your own ethical dilemmas

What are Ethics ? A moral philosophy of what is right and wrong and which bring the greatest benefit for most people

What is an ethical dilemma ? An ethical dilemma exists when there are good but contradictory ethical reasons to take conflicting & incompatible courses of action Shilito-Clark

Why do we need to consider Ethical Issues One person’s vulnerability creates a corresponding obligation on the other in the exercise of power and professional expertise. Bond 2000

What Ethical Frameworks can we use Self Care Autonomy Ethical Framework Fidelity Beneficence Justice Non Maleficence

1. Autonomy The capacity to think, decide & act on the basis of such thought. Such decisions are made freely and independently. Gillon 1985 Works from the premise of client Self-reliance Avoids the “coach knows best” and advice giving Is related to issues of power Relates to both process and outcomes 'The practitioner will always seek to promote clients’ control over their lives & their ability to make appropriate decisions. Being mindful throughout of the power dynamics of the professional - client relationship” BPS 1995

2. Beneficence Doing the best for your client Is the emotion a client feels about a problem so debilitating it must be looked at first ? Does your client have sufficient attention to deal with career choices now ? Is the career issue the least of your client’s worries ? Is your client expecting too much from career coaching?

3. Non Maleficence “Above all do no harm” Supervision Self monitoring No financial, sexual or emotional exploitation Competence Know why you are saying or doing what you are doing Ensure you do or say what you intend Know what effect your intervention is likely to have Adjust your interventions according to your client’s response Compare your skills to those of other Career Coaches More generic counselling skills Personal/Career counselling to address your own issues

4. Fidelity Trust Confidentiality n.b. limits Use information as your client intended it given Data Protection and Notes Confidentiality and the Law Client consent Public knowledge Public interest (e.g. safety) Statutory obligation - terrorism drugs

5. Self Care Care for self Indemnity insurance -legal advice Personal safety Fitness to practice Gaps between clients Not too many clients Time off Talk to colleagues Opt-out clause Avoid the trap of providing solutions

Your ethical dilemmas

References Bond. T. 2000 Standards & Ethics for Counselling in Action. Sage London BPS 1995 Guidelines for the professional practice of Counselling Psychology Gillon R. 1985 Autonomy and Consent in Lockwood M. ed. Moral dilemmas in Modern Medicine OUP Oxford Nathan R. Hill. L. 2005 Career Counselling London Sage Palmer Barnes. F. 1998 Complaints and Grievances in Psychotherapy. A handbook of Ethical Practice. Routledge London Schmidt L.D. and Meara 1984 Ethical Professional and Legal Issues in Counselling Psychology. Chapter 2 in Brown S.D. and Lent R.W. Handbook of Counselling Psychology Wiley. www.bacp.co.uk Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy BACP www.cipd.co.uk – Professional code covering Career Professionals for cipd members (withdrawn 2006)